As a crime victim ,
 you have a
right to know that:

1. Your local police department or district attorney can assist you in locating available programs in your community that provide services to crime victims and witnesses.

2. Your local police department or district attorney can explain what your role is in the criminal justice process, the significant stages of this process and how to obtain information about these stages.

3. There are laws to protect you if you are being threatened or intimidated by the alleged offender or the offender's family or friends.

4. If you supply the district attorney with your current address and telephone number, it is possible to be notified of:

•   the arrest of the defendant
  

•   the initial appearance of the defendant before a judge
  

•   the release of the defendant pending further judicial proceedings
  

•   proceedings in the prosecution of the accused
  

•   the final disposition of the case

•   If you are the victim of a felony, in most cases the district attorney will discuss and consult with you concerning the disposition of the criminal case, including any plea agreement.

6. If you are the victim of a felony, you have the right to make a written or oral statement at the defendant's sentencing on any matter relevant to sentencing.

7. If you file a victim notice form with the sentencing court, you will be notified when a defendant sentenced to state prison is released, even if it is an escape, absconding, discharge, temporary release or parole.

8. For defendants in state prison you have the right to submit a written Victim Impact Statement to the Division of Parole and/or meet with a representative to make an oral statement which will be considered at the time of the parole release decision.

9. If you have suffered out-of-pocket expense, the district attorney and/or the department of probation should discuss and consult with you concerning court ordered restitution or reparation.

10. Where possible, you will be provided with a secure waiting area for court appearances that is separate from all other witnesses.

11. Property held for evidentiary purposes will be returned to you promptly unless there is a compelling reason for law enforcement to retain it.

12. If you are having difficulty with your employer or creditor as a result of cooperating in the prosecution of a criminal case, your local police department or district attorney can intervene on your behalf.

You May Be Eligible for Crime Victim's Compensation If Any of the Following Apply:

1.  You are the victim of a crime who has sustained personal physical injury;

2. You are a victim of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree or a victim of a kidnapping in the first or second degree (limited to loss of earnings and counseling expenses);

3. You are an elderly (60 or older) or disabled victim of a crime, who has suffered a loss or damage to articles of essential personal property (limited to repair or replacement of essential property to a maximum of $100, transportation expenses incurred for necessary court appearances in connection with prosecution of a crime and counseling commenced within one year);

4. You are the surviving spouse, parent, child or person dependent for your principal support, upon the victim who dies as a result of a crime;

5. You are the person who has paid or incurred the burial expenses of an innocent victim who dies as a direct result of a crime (limited to burial expenses only); or

6. You are a child victim (under 18) of or witness to a crime, or the child's parent, guardian, or sibling.

7.  You are the victim of the crime of menacing, harassment, aggravated harassment or criminal contempt, even if you were not physically injured.  The compensation  covers loss of earnings or support, unreimbursed costs of repair or replacement of lost, damaged or destroyed personal property, unreimbursed costs of security devices, transportation expenses for court appearances, unreimbursed costs of counseling and for occupational or job training.

If you are eligible but under the age of 18 or incompetent, the claim application may be filed on your behalf by a relative, guardian, conservator, committee or attorney.

Compensation Benefits  from the New York State Victim's Compensation Board Include:

1. Expenses for medical or other related services not covered by other insurance or benefit programs.

2. Lost earnings or loss of support up to $600 per week and up to a maximum of $30,000.

3. Burial expenses up to $6,000.

4. Occupational rehabilitation expenses.

5. Counseling expenses.

6. The cost of repair or replacement of essential personal property lost, damaged or destroyed as a result of a crime up to $100.

7. Transportation expenses for necessary court appearances in connection with the prosecution of a crime.

8. The cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter.

9. For a victim of a crime who has acted as a Good Samaritan, the cost of lost, damaged, or destroyed property up to $5,000. (A victim of a crime acts as a Good Samaritan when attempting to prevent a crime, lawfully apprehends the perpetrator of a crime, or assists a police officer in making an arrest.)

10. The cost of reasonable burial expenses without regard to the financial difficulty of the survivors when a police officer or firefighter dies from injuries received in the line of duty as a direct result of a crime.